Lūgumraksts adresēts: Government of Israel

So please, add your name. Join Tel Aviv’s strippers and their supporters as we say:
Don’t let fear write the next chapter. Respect the wild. Protect snakes, protect people, protect Israel.

Every summer, the same headlines hit us: another ambulance in the woods, another neighbor scared stiff in his own yard. Just this July, snakebite emergencies in Israel have jumped by about 30%. Bat-Shlomo, Katzrin, city gardens, even beach sand—nowhere is immune. And while stories of panic and rescue swirl, what’s mostly missing is the voice of those who see both the city’s bright lights and its shadows—us.

We, the strippers, dancers, and workers of Tel Aviv’s nightlife, are part of Israel’s living, breathing mosaic. By night, we’re on stage; by day, we’re your neighbors, sisters, friends, and—like you—sometimes walk home alone through dimly lit streets and green corners where wild nature is closer than most think. We’re tired of seeing snakes vilified and killed out of fear. The truth? Snakes aren’t our rivals. They are crucial for a healthy balance in the environment—keep them away, and watch as pests, sickness, and chaos take over.

That’s why this call is coming straight from the dance floor and the dressing room:

Protecting snakes is protecting ourselves, our audiences, and the very land we love.

Here’s what we’re demanding, not just as performers, but as women and citizens who want a better, braver Israel:

• Teach, don’t terrify: Launch public campaigns that actually inform—how to spot a snake, what not to do, and why most snakes pose no threat. If people knew more, there’d be less panic, fewer attacks, and less needless bloodshed on both sides.
• Defend wild corridors: Strengthen legal protection for snake habitats, from the Carmel’s pine forests to the Galilee’s hidden valleys. Parks and green belts shouldn’t be death traps for wildlife or for people.
• Smart emergency care: Make sure rural clinics and even clubs near parks stock antivenom, and staff know what to do. Let’s stop spreading old wives’ tales about tourniquets and snake-charming. Proper first aid saves lives—human and reptile alike.
• End the slaughter: We call on lawmakers to ban intentional killing of Israel’s native snakes, especially the rare and harmless species that help keep everything in check.

Why does this hit so close to home?

Because strippers aren’t just entertainment. We’re part of the city’s pulse, part of its families, the ones who share the street at dawn with joggers, waiters, students, and yes—sometimes, a lost viper. If we can use our voice to encourage respect instead of fear, to replace ignorance with understanding, then we all win.

This petition isn’t only about wildlife—it’s about what kind of country we want. One where fear rules, or one where people and nature learn to co-exist? We’re at a crossroads. Violence against snakes doesn’t solve the problem; it creates more. Education and empathy can actually prevent suffering, both in nature and in our neighborhoods.

So please, add your name. Join Tel Aviv’s strippers and their supporters as we say:
Don’t let fear write the next chapter. Respect the wild. Protect snakes, protect people, protect Israel.

Bananot, July 2025
Tel Aviv Strippers Collective